TOPIC:

Naming or customising a rifle was common in South Africa, but I haven't seen any others stamped like this carbine.

Hi Rob,
Understood, but thanks anyway!
It would appear that “BOER” and “THEMBU” were intended to be hidden when the patch box door was shut, coincidental possibly?
It seems that these stamps are functional and not decorative but to what end?
Regs

Tallett wrote: Hi Rob,
Understood, but thanks anyway!
It would appear that “BOER” and “THEMBU” were intended to be hidden when the patch box door was shut, coincidental possibly?
It seems that these stamps are functional and not decorative but to what end?
Regs

That is a very good question Regs
The patch box stamping looks functional but crudely stamped. It is possible the previous owner had a connection to the Thembu?. A Boer who fought in the Frontier wars?. Unfortunately, we may never know. What do you know about the date of your firearm? Does it fit with the mentioned conflict?
The name Lowe is marked. I think the initial is J. I found 13 Lowe's with reference to British Gunmakers. Three had the initial J. James Lowe Birmingham, James Lowe Chester and there was a Joshua Lowe who resided in London. However, he was a Lock Filer, (1841-1850) and I am not sure he would have stamped his name on the carbine. The two James Lowes were gunmakers, 1835 and 1864.

The Xhosa Wars (also known as the Cape Frontier Wars) from 1779 - 1879. The Thembu are part of the Xhosa-speaking people.

See this link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xhosa_Wars

"On the Xhosa side, the Ngqika (known to the Europeans as the "Gaika") were the chief tribe engaged in the war, assisted by portions of the Ndlambe[15] and the Thembu. The Xhosa forces were over 10 times greater in number, and had by this time replaced their traditional weapons with firearms. It was their new use of guns that made the Xhosa considerably more effective in fighting the British. Both sides engaged in the widespread use of scorched earth tactics.[16]"

Hi Rob,
I think that we are looking at a T not a J making the name of the guns maker T Lowe.
Try Googling this, the results are interesting!
Regs

Is that Thomas Lowe?
Gunmaker who had his workshop in Northgate Street Chester circa 1792 -1834?
Also, Thomas Lowe was an apprentice of William Meredith the gunsmith of Blunderbuss fame....or am I on the wrong trail?